Windswept Dunes Golf Course

Windswept Dunes Golf Course: with nature to thank, and a modicum of help from course designer Doug O'Rourke, Windswept Dunes exudes much of the feel of a traditional, open, links-style golf course. This well-crafted design offers something a bit different from many of the classic Floridian courses hereabouts.

The area's naturally sandy terrain has been augmented by rustically crafted dunes, good bunkering, and open lightly rolling fairways. Rippling white dunes, expansive sandy waste areas and occasional stretches of pine forest are also much in evidence. Although housing runs alongside some holes, it is generally set far enough back to be out of harm's way.

There are sets of tees to challenge players of all levels, with the championship 7600 yardage best left to the pros. As on many links-style layouts, water threatens only occasionally, but beware when it does. The excellent par-3 2nd, a mere 244 yards from the tips, requires a tee-to-green carry over a good-sized pond (rather grandly called Lake Hernandez).

Clusters of flattish bunkers are often discreetly tucked alongside the generally good-width fairways, and around the large and prodigiously sloping greens. As the club's literature promises, "you'll be swept away by the experience," but just hope the wind isn't blowing too hard and the sweeping is not too literal.